Shoe-testing device



Dec. 27, 1938.

G. R. HILL SHOE TESTING DEVICE Filed Nov. 6, 1957 Patented Dec. 27, 1938 PATENT oFFIcE SHOE-TESTING DEVICE George R. Hill, Nashville, Tenn, assignor to General Shoe Corporation, Nashville, Tenn, a corporation of Tennessee Application November 6, 1937, Serial No. 173,258

3 Claims.

This invention relates to apparatus for testing the comparative cushioning action of the soles of shoes, and pertains more particularly to a testing device, adapted primarily as an advertising novelty for demonstrating the impact or pressure absorbing qualities of a particular make of shoe as compared with shoes manufactured by others.

The principal purpose of the invention is to provide a simple, economical and convenient tester of the type indicated, which may be rested on the floor so that it may be trod upon by a prospective purchaser of new shoes, and which has a hard, movable object arranged to roll along a predetermined path when a shoe is moved backwardly and forwardly upon it, so that the purchaser may feel the impression of the hard object through the sole of the shoe and compare that with the effect produced by another shoe tested in the same manner.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in

vice comprises a' platform ll supported at either end, in a horizontal position, by base members I2 and [3 respectively, these parts being made a of wood or other suitable material, and the base members being secured to the platform by nails I4 or other fastenings.

The upper surface of the platform has a shallow groove l5, preferably curved in cross section, and relatively deep, cylindrical sockets or recesses H5 at each end of said groove. A steel ball H or other hard, rolling object, of a size and shape adapted to fit in the sockets l6 and to roll along the groove I5, forms part of the apparatus, although it may be separated therefrom when the device is not in use.

When a demonstration is to be made, the device is placed on the floor with the ball located and held in one of the sockets l6, and the ball is pushed out of the socket and rolled backward and forward along the groove l5 by the sole of the shoe to be tested, as shown in Fig. 1. The wearer presses down on the ball and continues the test until he receives and retains a mental impression of the degree of pressure felt by his foot through the sole of that shoe; and he then makes a similar test with another shoe, for example, his old shoe or a shoe of another make.

Normally, the customer will wear different shoes on each foot, during the demonstration, and will test one and then the other until he is satisfied that one shoe is superior to'the other in the cushioning action of its sole. Obviously, a cushionedsole will absorb the pressure of the steel ball more than an ordinary sole, and the customer can tell the difference by his personal demonstration by the feel of the ball through the sole.

It is evident that a shoe-testing apparatus] of the type described is easy to use and efiicient in performing its intended purpose; and that it is peculiarly adapted as an advertising device, for the broad, flat surfaces of the base members and platform (especially the member l2 at the front end of the platform) lend themselves to the display of brand names or descriptive statements, applicable to a particular make of shoe, which maybe readily observed by the customer while testing shoes.

The device is also easy and inexpensive to manufacture, and it will be understood that its structural details may be varied to suit particu-' lar purposes or conditions without departing from the spirit of this invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A shoe-testing device of the character described, comprising a platform having a substantially horizontal upper surface, said surface having a relatively long and narrow groove for guiding a ball, and a ball disposed in said groove and adapted to be rolled along the groove by the pressure of the sole of a shoe moved thereon.

2. A shoe-testing device of the character described, comprising a platform having a substantially horizontal upper surface, said surface having a relatively long and narrow groove therein for guiding a ball and a socket at one end of the groove for receiving and holding the ball, and a ball disposed in the socket and adapted to be removed therefrom and rolled along the groove by the pressure of the sole of a shoe moved there- 3. A shoe-testing device of the character described, comprising a platform having a substantially flat upper surface, base members supporting the platform in substantially horizontal position, the .flat surface of the platform having a relatively long, narrow and shallow groove therein and relatively deep sockets at opposite ends of the groove, and a ball fitting in either of said sockets and adapted to be rolled along said groove by the pressure of the sole of a shoe moved there- 7 on. r

GEORGE E. HILL. 

